How much does it cost to travel to Destin?
You should plan to spend around $192 per day on your vacation in Destin. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $51 on meals
- $50 on local transportation
- $222 on hotels
A one week trip to Destin for two people costs, on average, $2,688. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Destin has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Destin expensive to visit?
Prices in Destin are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Destin is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Charlotte or Portland, Maine.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Destin Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Destin?
The average Destin trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Destin travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
$222
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$50
|
|
Food 2
|
$51
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
$17
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
$24 -
73
|
Accommodation Budget in Destin
The wide range of prices for hotels and accommodation in Destin can be very surprising. Some destinations have much higher price tags than others, and even within the same areas you can find a big difference between the budget-friendly and higher-end hotels. Also, during peak season, prices are much higher. You can save a good bit of money if you travel during the low season or shoulder seasons, as room prices adjust according to the overall demand. Booking in advance can often save you money, too.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Destin is $111. For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Destin is $222. This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Destin? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Destin include:
- Woodland Shores by Panhandle Getaways starting at $221
- Beachside Inn starting at $295
- Bay Club of Sandestin a VRI resort starting at $172
Transportation Budget in Destin
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Destin is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $50 per person, per day, on local transportation in Destin.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$50
How much does it cost to go to Destin? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Destin will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Destin
Calculated from travelers like you
Taking a food tour or cooking class is a great way to experience the culture in Destin. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. A few of the best culinary activities here include:
- 3 Hour Sunset Dinner Cruise by Solaris Yacht in Miramar Beach for $128 details
- 3 Hour Destin Dinner Cruise: Solaris Yacht in Miramar Beach for $128 details
Entertainment Budget in Destin
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Destin typically cost an average of $17 per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$17
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Destin. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Buccaneer Pirate Cruise for $54 details
- Private Cruise in Destin and Fort Walton Beach for $298 details
- Merritts Mill Pond Eco Adventure for $65 details
Typical prices for Entertainment in Destin are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Destin, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Alcohol Budget in Destin
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $49 on alcoholic beverages in Destin per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$49
Destin on a Budget
Destin, Florida
An upscale resort town located on the Florida Panhandle, Destin is best known for its white sand beaches and clear green waters, golfing opportunities, and world renowned fishing. The stretch of beach here (on a peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico and the Choctawhatchee Bay) is nicknamed Florida's Emerald Coast.
Sights
Once a small fishing village, Destin has grown to become one of Florida's most-visited vacation hubs - a city of hotels, motels, and high-rise condominiums. The emerald waters and sugar-white sands attract beachgoers year after year. One of the main access points to its beautiful coastline is at Henderson Beach State Recreation Area. In addition to beach access, some perks here include bicycling, birding, fishing, hiking, picnicking, swimming, wildlife viewing and full camping facilities. Crystal Sands Beach is also popular with visitors.
Other attractions include the Deston Harbor and Boardwalk, Jetty East Beach, James Lee Park, Mid-Bay Bridge, and the Destin History and Fishing Museum.
Neighborhoods
Destin's HarborWalk Village is one of the main hubs for visitors. Located right along the harbor, the village provides tons of waterfront shopping, rentals from paddle board and kayak to pontoon and jet skis, parasailing, glass bottom boats, world class fishing, pirate ship excursions, dolphin cruises, concerts and live music, weekly fireworks, entertainment, and an array of restaurants to satisfy all tastes. When in doubt, HarborWalk Village is a great place to begin any adventure. Destin Commons is another popular place to find anything and everything you could want while on vacation. The outdoor center features more than 90 stores and restaurants offering the finest shopping, dining and entertainment, including plenty of retail and specialty shops as well as a movie theater. If you want to venture just outside of Destin, the Village of Baytowne Wharf also features an array of boutiques, eateries, galleries and nightlife, plus a full schedule of outdoor festivals and special events.
Activities
Some of the favorite activities in Destin are scuba and snorkeling, jet skiing, parasailing, tubing, water skiing, kayak rentals, deep-sea fishing, dolphin cruises, and golfing. There are plenty of rental options available for those who need equipment, as well as lessons for anything from scuba diving to building sand castles. The beach is the place to be during the day whether you plan on soaking up the sun, swimming in the glimmering waters, or seizing the day with watersports. By night, visit the harbor and boardwalk for plenty of live music and entertainment and a number of great dining options. For even more ideas, check out this guide to
things to do in Destin, Florida.
Year-round the climate is ideal for golfing with opportunities including the award-winning
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, and the public Ft. Walton Beach Golf Club, Golf Garden of Destin, Regatta Bay Golf & Country Club, and the Seascape Resort & Conference Center.
Deep-sea fishing can be organized with companies like Adventure Charters and
Pelican Adventures, while wildlife cruises can be scheduled with businesses like Dolphin Cruise at Harborwalk Marina and Moody's.
Food and Dining
Like any popular vacation destination, Destin has plenty of dining options to satisfy all tastes and budgets. Both on and off the beach, there are a number of places serving anything from small bites to indulgent meals. Known for its fishing, Destin and all locations on the Emerald Coast will usually have great seafood restaurants to match. From rustic oyster bars and open-air cafes to candlelit restaurants, any eatery in Destin will offer a wide variety of fresh fish and seafood. Though the seafood is sure to please, you can also find familiar chain restaurants and other eateries serving just about anything you could crave - steak, sushi, wood-oven-fired pizzas, authentic Asian cuisine, or a hearty hamburger. Some of the top restaurants include Beach Walk at Henderson Park Inn (for a meal with a view!),
Vintij Wine Boutique & Bistro, Brotula's Seafood House & Steamer, Louisiana Lagniappe, Buck's Smokehouse, and McGuire's Irish Pub. As mentioned earlier, most restaurants are located in shopping hubs like the HarborWalk Village, Destin Commons, and the Village of Baytowne Wharf.
Transportation
The closest public airport is Northwest Florida Regional Airport, also known as the Destin – Fort Walton Beach Airport (car rentals are available from here). It is located near Destin and Fort Walton Beach in Okaloosa County, Florida. Other nearby airports include Pensacola International Airport which is about 1 hour 20 minutes from Destin, and Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport which is about 1 hour from Destin. Shuttles and taxis can be arranged to reach Destin from the airports.
By car, Destin is located on US 98 between Pensacola and Panama City.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
We've been to Destin many times, but I wouldn't consider it a budget-friendly destination. We always stayed in a condo and cook most of our own meals, which does help keep costs in check.